Electrically-operated clock.



T. MUN GALL. I ELEGTRIOALLY OPERATED CLOCK. V v APPLICATION FILED JULY30, 1909. 960,1 86. Patented May 31, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

II- III II- r I 031L116 1mm.

904mm I T. M UNGALL. ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1909. Q

Patented May 31, 1910.

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anvenlc bi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MUNGALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICALLY-OPER-ATED CLOCK.

To all. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS IIUNGALL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrically-OperatedClocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrically operated clocks,especially adapted for use as master clocks for controlling theoperation of a series of secondary clocks.

The object of my invention is to provide such a clock which shall be ofconstant operation irrespective of variations of the strength of theelectric current operating the same, which utilizes the operatingcurrent for actuating the relay for operating the secondary clocks andwhich shall have a simple and compact construction.

My invention consists of the combination and arrangement of partshereinafter described and claimed.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming part of this specification and in which-Figure 1 is afront elevation of a clock embodying my invention. Fig. 2, an enlargedfront elevation of the operative mechanism of said clock with certainparts of the frame removed for the sake of clear ness. Fig. 3, a partialend View of Fig. 2.

In a suitable casing 1 is mounted a suitable frame 2, in which theoperative parts of the clock mechanism are mounted. In the frame 2 ismounted a rotatable shaft 3, to which is secured a sleeve 4 carrying ahorizontally extending threaded rod 5. A cylindrical weight 6 isthreaded upon rod 5 so as to be adjustable toward and a ay from shaft 3.Below shaft 3 are mounted electro-magnets 7 and a swinging armature 8opposed thereto. A downwardly projecting arm 9 carried by sleeve 4i onshaft 3 contacts with the inner face of armature 8. By this arrangementit will be seen that upon excitation of magnets 7 the armature 8 will bedrawn toward said magnets and the weight 6 elevated as indicated in thefull lines in Fig. 2. At one side of the armature 8 is provided a catch10 cooperating with a trigger 11 to hold the armature in the position ofexcitation of magnets 7 and consequently the weight 6 in elevatedposition. I11 front of frame 2 is suspended a pendulum 12. The pendulumis preferably suspended on a fiat spring 13 taking over a threaded rodSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 30, 1809.

Patented May 31, 1910.

Serial No. 510,443.

and adjustably positioned thereon by means of threaded nuts 15 on saidrod. The rod is supported in ears 1b in frame 2 and held in position bymeans of lock nuts 17 located outside of said ears. On the outer end ofshaft 3 is secured a downwardly extending lever arm 18 having anoutwardly bent arm 19 at its lower end. adapted to contact with the sideof the pendulum 12. A circuit breaker shaft 20 is pivoted in frame 2 andcarries an outwardly extending contact arm 21 provided with anadjustable contact at its upper end. Secured to shaft 20 is a downwardlyextending lever 23 having an outwardly bent arm 24 at its lower end,adapted to contact with the side of pendulum 12 opposite to arm 19. Theshaft 20 also carries a trip arm 20 adapted to contact with the end oftrigger 11 to release armature 8 and weight (3. Opposed to contact 22 isspring leaf contact connected with the binding post 26 on the plate 27.The plate 27 is composed of fiber or other insulating material andcarries another binding post 28 on its other side. Binding post 28 isconnected with one end of the winding electromagnets 7 by means of wire29, the other end of said winding being grounded to the frame 2. Bindingposts 26 and 28 are connected by wires 3031 with a battery or othersuitable source of current 32 and a relay 33. ires and 3G connect withsecondary electric clocks and a suitable source of electric current foroperating said clocks, as will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art.

By the construction above set forth it will be seen that uponoscillation of the pendulum 12 in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 1the electric circuit through magnets 7 will be closed, the armature 8drawn toward said magnets and the weight 6 elevated as indicated in fulllines in Fig. 2. The end of plate 27 is extended far enough to serve asa stop to limit the upward movement of weight 6. The trigger 11 operatesto temporarily hold said weight in its elevated position as explainedabove. This action also serves to close the circuit through relay 33,thus closing the circuit through wires 3536 by operating the secondaryclocks as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Uponthe reverse oscillation of pendulum 12, the circuit breaker shaft 20oscillates to break the circuit, the trigger 11 serving to temporarilyhold weight 6 in its elevated position. one end of reverse oscillationof pendulum 12 the trip arm 20 contacts with trigger ll releasingarmature 8 and permitting the fall of weight 6. The energy produced bythe fall of weight 6 is imparted to pendulum 12 through lever 18, thusserving to keep the pendulum in motion. By employing a Hat leaf springfor suspending pendulum 12 the friction is avoided, the energy consumedin bending said spring being returned through the elasticity thereof.

By this construction I am enabled to con struct a clock having a veryshort pendulum making a stroke every second. Owing to the fact that theaction of gravity is a constant force it will be seen that the impulseimparted to the pendulum at each oscillation will be constantirrespective of any variations in the force of the current used toelevate said weight. By adjusting the weight 6 on the rod 5 the strengthof the impulse imparted to the pendulum at each oscillation may beregulated as desired and when once so regulated will remain constant.

It will be seen that the above construction is very simple and compactand etlicient in operation.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred construction forcarrying my invention into effect, this may be varied without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not wish to be limitedto the exact details of construction set forth but wish to avail myselfof such variations and alterations as come within the scope of theappended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pendulumof a weight mounted upon a horizontally extending piw otal arm; adepending arm connected with said weight; an electro-magnet; an armrturepivoted to be drawn toward said electro-magnet upon closing of itscircuit the i said armature contacting with the lower end of saiddepending arm and arranged to elevate said electromagnet; a catch onsaid armature; a trigger adapted to engage said At the catch to locksaid weight in elevated position; a second depending arm connected withsaid weight and having its lower end adapted to contact with one side ofsaid pendulum; a pivotal circuit closing member carrying an arm adaptedto engage said trigger to release said weight when said cir cuit isbroken; a depending arm connected with said circuit closing member andcontacting with the other side of said pendulum to cause said member tobe moved to circuit closing position; and a stationary contact adaptedto cooperate with said circuit closing member to close saidelectromaguet circuit substantially as described.

in a device of the class described, the combination with a pendulum of aweight adjustably mounted upon a horizontally extending pivotal arm; adepending arm connected with said weight; an electro-magnct; an armaturepivoted to be drawn toward said electro-magnet upon closing of itscircuit the said armature contacting with the lower end of saiddepending arm and, arranged to elevate said weight upon its movement toard said electro-magnet; a catch on said armature; a. trigger adapted toensaid catch to lock said weight. in elcvated position; a seconddepending arm connected with said weight and having its lower endadapted to contact with one side of said pendulum; a adjustable pivotalcircuit closing member carrying an arm adapted to engage said trigger torelease said weight when said circuit is broken; a depending armconnected with said circuit closing member and contacting with the otherside of said pendulum to cause said member to be moved to circuitclosing position; and a stationary spring contact adapted to cooperatewith said circuit closing member to close said electroanagnet circuit.substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

TI'EOMAS rlllii .iuklili.

ll itnesses HELEN F. LiLms, Josrroa R. H. PO'ITS.

